They had gathered in large numbers at the venue of the election rally at Navsari, an hour’s drive from its twin city, Surat. All were wearing saffron-coloured Gandhi topis that had the legend ‘BJP’ embossed on them; many were carrying cardboard cutouts of his face, holding them up for everyone to see. The sight and sound of his helicopter landing some distance away set off a frenzied chant from the multitude. “Modi, Modi, Modi,” they screamed, the incantation reaching a deafening crescendo when he stepped on to the podium to greet them. It has been close to nine years now since Narendra Modi gave up his chief ministership to assume the mantle of the country’s prime minister and yet he is greeted with the same adulation and affection as he was when he was at the helm of the state for a record 12 and a half years. Modi evokes in them that rare quality called Gujarati asmita (pride in identity). His party has remained unbeatable in state elections since 1995; since 2002, it has flowed from this conflation of Modi with Gujarat.
Modi didn’t ask the audience to repeat the BJP campaign slogan of ‘ (I have made this Gujarat)’. But, in his address, he devoted much time to reminding people how he had ensured that the BJP governments both at the Centre and in the state had brought major development schemes to the city. Speaking in the local Gujarati dialect with intonations so nuanced that the audience listened enthralled, he went on to cite specific examples of the work done for them. He then asked them for a personal favour—to go to the homes of voters in the town and ask them to vote. “Treat this as a pilgrimage,” he said, “talk of the good work done by the BJP and ask them to come out and vote on polling day. But do me a personal favour, will you? Tell them that our Narendrabhai had come to Navsari and give them my (regards).” The crowd went into raptures and responded in the affirmative. (blessings) that will allow me to continue the good work I have been doing for the country.” Meghna Amdavadi, a BJP worker who had been sitting in the front row, summed up the sentiments of all those who were present. “We regard Narendrabhai not as a father figure but as our elder brother,” she said, resplendent in the party colours she is wearing, a saffron sari, cap and scarf. “He is someone with whom we can share our troubles and who constantly helps the whole family in whatever way he can. He will always get our votes.”
